Vice-captain David Meyler insists Hull Cityare not in a relegation scrap this season.

The Tigers have slipped towards the relegation zone this week after respective 3-2 and 3-1 defeats to Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough at the KCOM Stadium, as they continue to struggle to acquire any sort of league form.

However, despite finding themselves just six points off the relegation zone, such is the Championship Leonid Slutsky’s side are just five points from a top-half spot and seven from a play-off place.

Having won promotion from the Championship twice in a black and amber shirt, Meyler knows the trials and tribulations of the second tier more than most.

Ahead of the Tigers trip to Sheffield United this weekend, the Irish international admitted things have not gone City’s way lately, but he was quick to dismiss talk of relegation dogfight insisting a couple of positive results is all it takes to rise up the league ladder.

“I’m frustrated,” Meyler said. “Obviously the two times I have been promoted with Hull, our home form has been key and these were two games we never expected not to get results from but it’s not gone that way.

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“We need to improve, it’s not been good enough and that’s down to the players. They have to take responsibility for the performances on both occasions and we need to rectify that.

“It’s been tough. But I wouldn’t say I’m too concerned because I know how tough the Championship is and there’s been no game where we’ve been really turned over. Ok, you can go on about Derby but if Seb scores the penalty it’s a different game.

“We’re seven points off the play-offs. If you have a run of games against teams in and around you, you can jump up the table. We’ve hit a bad patch that’s it. Going into Christmas there’s a lot of games and we need to start with a win tomorrow.

Hull City players crestfallen after losing 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

“We’re not in a relegation scrap. I’ve done two of them in the Premier League, I’m not doing one in the Championship. I won’t let that happen and I don’t think the lads will let that happen.”

Despite being City’s longest serving player, joining the club in 2012, Meyler is one of eight first-team players who as it stands will be released at the end of the season.

Alongside Michael Dawson, Allan McGregor, Max Clark and Seb Larsson, Meyler is yet to sign a new deal, but while he would like his future to be secure, he admits now is not the time to discuss a new contract.

“My agent met with owner about six or seven weeks ago but I’ve heard nothing since,” the midfielder added. “I haven’t thought too much about it because I’m focused on the games. When you’re winning, everybody is singing your praise but you have to take the good with the bad.

“We had five of the starting XI on Tuesday night out of contract, which doesn’t look fantastic but we’re all focused on the job in hand.

“I want to get it sorted before June 30th. When it’s time to sit down and talk, that’s the time. I don’t think now is the right time because of the games but we have to make a decision going forward for myself and the club. I would like to be here but there’s a lot of ifs and buts between now and then.”